This year’s programme will evolve around the topic of “The Renewed EU Industrial Policy Strategy: making EU tourism stronger in a new industrial era”.

The objective of the conference will be to exchange views on existing and new challenges and opportunities of EU tourism under the Renewed EU Industrial Policy Strategy adopted in September 2017 and to share good practices of harvesting the advantages offered by this horizontal strategic approach.

The event will gather up to 400 participants, including representatives of the European Commission and other EU institutions, high-level representatives of public authorities at EU, national and regional level, representatives of prominent European sectorial associations and the tourism and travel industry, international organisations, academics, as well as other relevant stakeholders.

In addition, this year's European Tourism Day will host the Award Ceremony of the first edition of the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition and an exhibition of the winning destinations.